6 Moves Nintendo Needs to Make to Win 2017

Switch Needs to be Desirable

The Switch wowed a lot of fans back when the first trailer was finally revealed by Nintendo. Showcasing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild alongside major third party titles such as an unnamed NBA game and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim really piqued a lot of people’s interest. Also, there was the reveal of being able to have a truly mobile experience with the console. It turned out that the core of the Switch is, in fact, a tablet-like device that you can attach controllers to in order to create a handheld, or just use as a portable screen as you play normally with a standard controller.

It was a strong first impression, but thoughts immediately started turning to the same factors that ailed the ill-fated Wii U release. What was going on under the hood? What’s the launch lineup of games looking like? And how much will this thing cost? While Nintendo has managed to always stay relevant thanks to its iconic first-party lineup, the last console release suffered thanks to much more powerful competition. The Xbox One and the PS4 don’t have their own Mario, Zelda, or Donkey Kong, but they each received a vast majority of the major blockbuster releases over the past 3 years, and are far ahead when it comes to technology. The presence of more options surely aided both Sony and Microsoft in trouncing the Wii U, and Nintendo can’t afford to have the same happen to the Switch.

Unlike its predecessor, the Switch is stepping into an arena where its competitors are already in a very good position. Because of that, it needs to be more than just another console in the Big N’s lineup. While the unique games library is a strong point, it is only one point. Power, a solid price point, and a strong, diverse lineup will show that the company is back in a big way. It will definitely make the box much more appealing, providing a competitive edge to a console that fans earnestly want to succeed.

Third Party Deals to Prove the Support Isn’t Just for Show

Do you remember when the Wii U was revealed and launched? It too had a strong third-party corner with some of the biggest developers and publishers ready to port over blockbuster titles as well as develop some brand new software for the console. Yet, just a few months after the release of the eighth generation console, it all fizzled out. Now, the offerings have been paltry with owners waiting extensive periods of time for the next big game while the PCs, Xbox Ones, and PS4s enjoy a steady stream of releases. EA, Activision, Warner Brothers, and more didn’t bother taking their blockbusters and placing them on the struggling platform. Instead, they opted to bring over their more kid-friendly games, while leaving the money-makers on more profitable hardware.

Again we see a strong stable of support for the Switch, but there needs to be more than just a statement. If Nintendo wants to win they’ll need more than just given support. They’re going to have to make some deals just like their competition has been doing with the biggest names in the industry.

2K and Bethesda have thrown their names into the hat, but details on what they’ll provide have been mum. While it’s clear that neither will put their biggest upcoming games exclusively on the Switch, they have plenty of talent that can certainly provide experiences unique to the console. There’s also Ubisoft who proved to be one of the few that stood behind Nintendo throughout the Wii U’s life (even if they did have to switch certain exclusives to multi-platform). Having the next Assassin’s Creed on the platform with some exclusive content (because chances are the publisher won’t just give them the whole game), or even a new Rayman with timed exclusivity can help bolster whatever lineup they have planned. As long as we see that they aren’t just naming names to make the upcoming box look good, Nintendo will be putting itself in a great position. 

Launch the Switch at a Lower Price Than the PS4 Pro

Right now the company to beat is Sony. Yes, Microsoft has been making up a lot of lost ground, and the second half of this year will definitely have the Xbox brand in the limelight, but at the moment Sony has all the momentum. The company has a VR headset as well as two different versions of the PS4 console – the Slim (which is the new standard) and the Pro. The Pro, which is capable of 4K gaming, HDR, 4K media streaming, and is compatible with the PSVR headset all at $400 (plus tax, of course).

Based on what we’ve seen, chances are that the Switch doesn’t have all the same capabilities, and that’s just fine as long as they can beat it in price. Nintendo has a strong stable of games as well as newfound support from major devs, but that all means nothing if people don’t see a good deal. A sweet spot would be below the PS4 Pro, maybe even matching the current price of the Slim ($300). Of course, many would hope that it would be even cheaper with the $250 range looking mighty appealing. But the main goal is to get the Switch’s foot into the door without scaring anyone off.

In order to sell a massive amount of new games, Nintendo must first get the Switch into homes, and that’s what a competitive price point will do. It’s tough to find the perfect price, but the easy gauge is based on power. Pricing it below your more powerful competition is a no-brainer, but making sure it isn’t “too cheap” as to ward off people who become worried that its less than premium requires a more delicate approach. If the company can land on that perfect number, they can expect to watch the bucks roll in once March comes along. 

Mobile Domination

Nintendo got its first taste of the mobile market in 2016 and it was fairly successful. While there are still some issues to iron out – price, free-to-play models, advertising, messaging – it’s going well for the first-timers. Part of the company’s success in 2017 will require keeping that up and not moving on simply because it wasn’t perfect.

Being popular on mobile does more than just make money (although, it can make a lot of money). It puts your company and properties in front of hundreds of millions of people, making whatever you put out next recognizable. It’s a perfect entry point for those who are on the fence about making the much larger commitment of purchasing a console and a game. Smartphones are a common commodity now, so it’s great to take advantage of them and use them as a way to attract new fans towards bigger, better hardware.

A Repeat of Pokemon’s Year… Just Not With Pokemon

2016 had Nintendo in the spotlight throughout pretty much all 12 months, and it wasn’t always because of hardware. Nintendo knows how to throw a party for the properties that helped get it to where it is. You couldn’t go anywhere without seeing or hearing about something Pokemon related, and with the re-release of the original games early on in the year, Pokemon GO in the summer, then Pokemon Sun and Moon during the holidays, fans had plenty to play over the year without every switching away from the franchise.

I don’t think there’s ever been quite as successful an anniversary celebration as that one. It would definitely be a great idea to try and catch lighting in a bottle for the second time with everything in 2017. The Legend of Zelda and Kirby quickly come to mind as two properties that the company can leverage against the impending release onslaught from both the Xbox One and the PS4. Zelda and Kirby re-releases on the 3DS, Wii U, and Switch, maybe some animated entertainment, free rewards to celebrate, new game announcements, and more could really shift the spotlight to Nintendo and lock it in place. 

Do What You’ve Always Done Best, Nintendo

The most important thing for Nintendo to do in order to win 2017 is to remember all the good things that got the company to where it is in the first place. Nintendo has always been about fun first. Graphics aren’t everything, and neither is the power to create impossibly large worlds with tons of things to do. It’s all about making sure the player has as much fun as possible with everything in the game. It’s a methodical whimsy that seems crazy and full of life on screen, but takes a talented team to deliver without a hitch.

We’re not saying that Microsoft and Sony don’t offer any fun, but there’s something different about how Nintendo approaches things. Color and music, simplistic controls, challenging puzzles, and characters that are so easy to love are all staples of how they became such an integral part of so many childhoods. While it is definitely time to compete in earnest, something Nintendo hasn’t done in a very long time, the company needs to not change completely in order to do so. Delivering just another Xbox or a PlayStation won’t do the oldest member of the Big Three any favors. It needs that sense of awe and wonder that makes games like Splatoon seem silly but become incredibly popular. We need Mario and his friends to revamp the platforming genre yet again. There hasn’t been a new Donkey Kong rap in a long time and the world is a lesser place because of it.

Nintendo is going to have to find that balance between fresh and new alongside tried and true. If they can nail it, delivering a powerful, affordable console that has new blockbusters alongside classic favorites, then it would be hard for them to lose in 2017.